African Wildlife & Environment Issue 80

FAUNA, FLORA & WILDLIFE

The bright yellow floers and pom-pom seed heads of the Dandelion

full-petalled edible flowers throughout the year, which develop into a round puff of hundreds of seeds. It is happiest growing in the poorest soil and grows in the most unusual places. This is undoubtedly one of the easiest weeds to grow, and to my mind, the most important to have growing in a fruit orchard as a companion plant. Dandelion exhales ethylene gas which causes fruit to mature and ripen quickly.This fruit- ripening accelerator is both attractive and useful growing en-masse under fruit trees. In South Africa, it is commonly known as 'Perdeblom' in Afrikaans, in Xhosa 'Irwabe Lenyoka' and in Zulu it is known as 'Umashwababa'. One of the first written records of the Dandelion plant was found in ancient pharmacopoeias in the seventh century in China. Its history is fascinating, but the most memorable, I think must be the name ‘Dandelion’ which was coined by a 15th century French surgeon, who compared the sharp pointed leaves to the teeth of a lion which was called ‘dents de lion’. Rather aptly, the leaves build strong tooth enamel and strengthen bones. All the parts of the plant are

Who would imagine those little bright yellow flowers growing on kerb-sides would be amazing foraging and healing plants? The common Dandelion weed brings back fond memories to so many people, mostly for its round pom-pom seed heads. Did you know, the whole plant can be used cosmetically, medicinally, and for its array of culinary uses? This is a worldwide weed which thrives on neglect! DANDELION, the perfect weed for foragers

Sandy Roberts

Its roots tenaciously seek what little water it can find in a network around its central tap root. If nurtured with a little water, it never grows higher than 30cm and wider than 30cm. It produces many edible green leaves, and the most beautiful

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